amaryllis

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.

Copyright The Columbia University Press

amaryllis (ăm´ərĬl´Ĭs), common name for some members of the Amaryllidaceae, a family of mostly perennial plants with narrow, flat leaves and with lilylike flowers borne on separate, leafless stalks. They are widely distributed throughout the world, especially in flatlands of the tropics and subtropics. Many ornamental plants of this family are mistakenly called lilies; they can be distinguished from members of the lily family (Liliaceae) by the anatomical placement of the ovary (see flower) and are considered more advanced in evolution than the lilies. Sometimes the amaryllis family is included in the Liliaceae.

Several fragrant, showy-blossomed species are commonly called amaryllis: the true amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna), or belladonna lily, of S Africa, and the more frequently cultivated tropical American species of Sprekelia, Lycoris, and especially Hippeastrum (e.g., the Barbados lily). The large Narcissus genus, including jonquils and daffodils, is native chiefly to the Mediterranean region, but it has been naturalized and is now widespread in the United States. Although the common names are sometimes used interchangeably, strictly the daffodil is the yellow N. pseudo-narcissus, with a long, trumpet-shaped central corona; the jonquil is the yellow N. jonquilla, with a short corona; and the narcissus is any of several usually white-flowered species, e.g., the poet's narcissus (N. poetica) with a red rim on the corona. The biblical rose of Sharon may have been a narcissus. Among many others that have become naturalized and are cultivated in Europe and North America are the snowdrops (any species of Galanthus), small early-blooming plants of the Old World whose flowers are symbolic of consolation and of promise; and the tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa), a waxy-flowered Mexican plant.

Economically, the most important plants of the family are of the nonbulbous genus Agave, the tropical American counterpart of the African Aloe genus of the family Liliaceae (lily family). Different agaves provide soap (e.g., those called amoles—see soap plant), food and beverages, and hard fiber. Henequen and sisal hemp are among the fibers obtained from agaves; fique and Cuban hemp come from other similar genera. Maguey is the Mexican name for various species (chiefly A. americana) called American aloe, or century plant, that contain the sugar agavose, sometimes used medicinally but better known as the source of the popular alcoholic beverages pulque and mescal (or mezcal). The name
"century plant"
arises from the long intervals between bloomings—from 5 to 100 years. After blooming, the century plant dies back and is replaced by new shoots. The blue agave (A. tequilana weber azul) is the maguey used in making tequila. The agave cactus (Leuchtenbergia principis) is a true cactus that resembles the agave.

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Narcissus

Narcissus (daffodils; family Amaryllidaceae) A genus of bulbous herbs whose regular flowers are borne singly or in groups on the tip of a leafless stem, and which have a papery spathe around the flower or flower group. The flowers have 6 similar perianth segments and also a cup or trumpet-shaped corona surrounding the stamens. Narcissus species are much cultivated (as wild species and as hybrids or cultivars) for the fine flowers. There are 27 species, occuring in Europe, western Asia, and N. Africa.

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narcissus

nar·cis·sus
/ närˈsisəs/
•
n.
(pl. same, -cis·si
/ -ˈsisī; -sē/ , or -cissuses
)
a bulbous Eurasian plant of a genus that includes the daffodil, esp. (in gardening) one with flowers that have white or pale outer petals and a shallow orange or yellow cup in the center. • Genus Narcissus, family Liliaceae (or Amaryllidaceae): many species and varieties, in particular N. poeticus.

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amaryllis

am·a·ryl·lis
/ ˌaməˈrilis/
•
n.
a bulbous plant of the lily family with showy white, pink, or red flowers and straplike leaves, in particular: ∎
a South African plant (Amaryllis belladonna), also called belladonna lily.
∎
a tropical South American plant that is frequently grown as a houseplant (hybrids of the genus Hippeastrum, formerly Amaryllis).

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amaryllis

amaryllis Genus consisting of a single species of bulbous plant, Amaryllis belladona, the belladonna lily, which has several trumpet-shaped pink or white flowers. Amaryllis is also the common name for Hippeastrum, a bulbous houseplant.

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